Aloha!
I am not quite sure who to address this to, but perhaps if I explain . . . I have performance experience with Polynesian dances - hula and tahitian, as well as performance experience with latin dances - salsa and merengue mostly, (a lot of street-version, more entertainment than professional).
My dilemma is that I want to dance, I need to dance more than anything and I don't know where to go from here. I love to perform and am currently in a very small latin dance group in the middle-of-nowhere, Washington state. I have the opportunity to move to Florida, but even there I wouldn't quite know quite how to go about things. I don't know how to go about establishing contacts, I've never auditioned, and my goals are towards the elusive street latin performance, music videos, and the like.
If anyone has any advice, suggestions, (please, none along the lines of "you know it's a nice dream but not exactly realistic" because I KNOW this and am still willing to give heart and soul) --- please, please, please respond.
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get there (though I don't have sufficient financial resources to pay for better training) and to put in the hours it takes, I just need a little direction . . .
Thank you so much for your time,
aloha,
dancer-to-be

Dancer-to-be,
Based on the replies you've gotten, maybe you'd like to move to Malden, Massachusetts? I believe Studio 665 is hiring. Their number is 1-781-321-3779.
All the best,
weddingdance

I read your email and I say follow your dream. It sounds like you've had enough dance experience to atleast know what you want. I am a professional ballroom dance instructor so I understand your love for dancing. I have had to face some hard times to make my dreams come true too. I have found the dreams worth all of the hard times. My suggestion to you would be to find a ballroom studio that is hiring teachers. Be careful because there is a lot of crooked people out there. There is also some terrific people! In the ballroom world we do a lot of latin dancing and we also do what we call standard and smooth. They are foxtrot, waltz, tango, viennese waltz, and quickstep. If you work in a ballroom studio you can get latin and standard. It is a great way to get training on a limited budget and possbily make money doing what you love.
Email meet at SMDreamDancer@aol.com and tell me where you live and I will see if there are any good studios in your area. I am always willing to help a fellow lover of dance. Keep in touch and let me know how things are going. If you have any questions, let me know and I will do my best to help. Good luck and follow your dreams!!

------------------
Keep Dancin',
~ Ms. Shawn McMarlin
Ballroom Dance Instructor
@ Always Dancin' / Ohio

Daner-to-Be,

I agree with Shawn. If you're serious about becoming a full-time dancer, and you don't have the money or resources to get started, you might want to try working for a studio. There are a whole bunch of studios out there that would be willing to train you if you're serious enough.

Once you get some practical experience, you can make a pretty good income teaching... enough to help you pay for additional lessons from professional coaches outside of your studio of employment.

A studio will also give you the resources to get out there in the dance community and meet people and find a partner. With a partner you can practice as much as you like, free of charge. Not only that, but the two of you can split the cost of lessons and competitions. This is the best way to seriously become a professional dancer.

Incidentally, it's helpful that you're willing to relocate. If you can move into an area where there's a flourishing dance community, you should have no problem getting started.

If you need help finding a studio in your area (or an area where you would like to move to), let us know. We'll give you some suggestions.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Atkinson, Administrator